Lock

ABSTRACT

A lock ( 1 ) comprises an electronics module ( 6 ) which in response to receiving an authorisation signal from an electronic key ( 8 ) causes movement of handles ( 4   a;    4   b ) to release a bolt ( 19 ) within aperture ( 3 ). Electronic module ( 6 ) is replaceable and is retained in place by a latch ( 16 ) that may be released by actuation of a mechanical lock ( 11 ).

The present invention relates to a lock and in particular, but notexclusively, to a lock suitable for remote applications, applicationswhere a number of authorised individuals need to be able to open thelock and where it may subsequently be necessary to seek authorisationfrom selected individuals without the requirement to obtain the returnof a key associated with the lock.

The present inventors have identified that there is a need for a lockthat is robust, can be operated by a number of individuals and which Isintelligent. “Intelligent” in the sense used herein means that the lockshould be able to communicate information relating to an associated key,thus possibly identifying the key operating the lock, and/or identifyingdifferent keys and controlling access in dependence on the key used andthe logic programmed into the lock. The term “key” encompasses anydevice which has to be presented to the lock to operate it, particularlythe term encompasses electronic programmable cards, sometimes referredto as “smart cards” and tokens or tags, the latter possibly being in theform of a key fob for a key ring. Such keys can communicate by wirelessmeans for example infrared emissions, radio waves or by inductivecoupling.

OUTLINE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a lock comprising:a secure housing having a first portion containing mechanical componentsof the lock; a second portion for receiving an electronics module; andhandles mounted externally with respect to the secure housing. Theelectronics module comprises a power supply; electronics circuitryincluding an antenna and wireless transceiver circuitry capable ofreceiving an authorisation signal from an electronic key which isbrought into dose proximity to the electronics module; and a motorisedactuator responsive to an authorisation signal.

The mechanical components in the first portion of the housing comprise aretaining pin which acts as a deadbolt for releasably retaining a robustbolt in position in the lock and in addition a linkage mechanismproviding means for the handles under selective circumstances to beconnected to the retaining pin such that movement of the handlesdisplaces the retaining pin, appropriate selective circumstances beingwhen an authorisation signal has been received by the transceivercircuitry of the electronics module whereby the motorised actuatorinteracts with the linkage mechanism so as to permit movement of thehandles to displace the retaining pin.

A lock according to the invention is particularly advantageous In aremote or hostile environment. Considering for example a location for amobile radio mast, such a site will typically comprise a perimeter fenceenclosing apparatus belonging to several companies. In such anapplication operatives of the respective companies will need access tothe site. In addition, it may also be necessary to occasionally provideaccess to contractors charged with the performance of specific taskswithin the site. Employing the present invention enables a common lockto be provided with any number of keys issued, each key may convenientlybe in the in the form of an electronic card or tag issued to appropriatepersonnel. Each key, or group of keys, may have a unique code and thelock can be arranged, by programming of the electronics module, topermit selective operation of the lock depending on information encodedinto the signal from the key.

The function and advantages of electronic or intelligent locks, arealready known, most of which would be applicable to a lock In accordancewith the present invention. These are too numerous to list here, but byway of Illustration, the lock may, for example, be programmed, either bytransmitting a signal to it on site, or by programming the electronicmodule off site, such that it may recognise only certain cards issued asbeing authorised, such as cards belonging to one company. Alternatively,the lock may be programmed to permit access only at certain times.

A particular advantage of having an electronic module which can beremoved from the lock is that if a module needs to be reprogrammed orreplaced for some reason, for example the power supply contained withinthat module is failing, (which power supply will normally be in the formof battery contained within the module), then the module may be arrangedin the form of a secured and selectively releasable cartridge so that itcan be replaced simply without removing or dismantling the lock.

A problem with an electronic lock for a remote application is that,taking the example of a perimeter fence, the lock may be remote from apower source and may be visited infrequently, thus the useful lifetimeof the module will often depend on the requirement for electronic powerfrom a power supply contained within the module. The present inventionuses very little power producing only a minimal drain on the powersupply of the electronic module by having a mechanism whereby it is theaction of the handle that physically withdraws the retaining pin, theelectronics module only enabling the release of the retaining pin.

Preferably the lock further comprises mechanical locking componentswhich inter alia cooperate to releasably secure the electronics modulewithin the secure housing, releasing means being in the form of amechanical key. This mechanical key-operated lock arrangement enables,by means of turning the key In the lock In a first direction, theelectronics module to be replaced, even after it has failed, but it isImportant to note that access to this electronic module release functionis restricted.

It is also particularly advantageous if the same mechanical key, byvirtue of being turned in a second direction In the lock, can releasethe retaining pin from the bolt thereby providing means to performmanual override locking and unlocking operations since these functionswould also be necessary in the event of failure of the electronicsmodule.

Further advantages may be conferred by arranging that the key-operatedlock Is arranged to receive a first key type, which can only turn in onedirection and a second key type which can turn in the other direction orboth directions, for at Is then possible to have a first mechanical keytype which can override the lock in the event of a failure of theelectronic module and another key type which can permit both mechanicaloverride of the locking and unlocking function and provide releasingmeans for the electronics module.

Locks according to the present invention may be made in various forms bydirecting the embodied features according to the requirements of a givenenvironment. For instance, in an urban environment where vandalism is arecurring problem, it is particularly advantageous that the linkagemechanism only provides mechanical linkage between the handles and theretaining pin when an authorisation signal has been received. By virtueof the handles being able to “freewheel” at other times the possibilityof extreme force being applied to the handle (which might otherwisedamage the locking mechanism) is avoided. This arrangement also furtherprovides the possibility that where the electronic module is normally Ina power conserving ‘sleep’ mode, with its receiver turned off, it can beawoken by mechanical operation of the handle. This operation of thehandle will first awake the electronic module and then, if an authorisedelectronic key is in close proximity to the receiver of the module, thenthe actuator of the module may permit force applied to the handle to betransmitted to the retaining pin to withdraw that retaining pin.

Even though the lock of the instant invention is very power-sparing,repeated unauthorised interference by vandals will introduce many cyclesof waking the electronics module which will eventually shorten theservice life of the battery. This may not be a great problem In an urbanenvironment since maintenance schedules will compensate for anyrecurring issue of power drainage and the need for electronics modulereplacement because of battery depletion.

However, a remote environment may be hostile in a different manner inthat the site may be difficult to reach or it may be simply infrequentlyvisited. Vandalism is unlikely to be an issue here but the maximumextension of battery life is very important, as is lower powerconsumption, such that the duty cycle of an electronics module betweenchanges is as long as possible. To accommodate this type of applicationthe interaction between the handles and the retaining pin may bearranged such that only 90° of free motion of the handles is providedupon first approach, the handles springing back to the start positionwhen released, and a magnetic switching arrangement between theelectronics module and mechanical lock manages the operation of thelock.

In either form, in addition to an authorisation being necessary topermit opening of the lock, it is advantageous if on exit or if alock-in is required, that the electronics module and mechanicalcomponents are arranged such that an authorisation signal also has to bereceived to permit the bolt and the retaining pin to cooperate so as toclose and secure the lock. This may be accomplished by providing theelectronics module with a sensor for detecting the presence of the bolt.These features provide for the identification of the key whichauthorised operation of the lock and thus permit the lock to both recordwhen the lock was opened and when it was subsequently closed, thus theelectronics module of the present invention is able to store an audittrail.

Further variations may combine the lock of the instant invention withone or more wireless or other communications technologies. Suchapplications are important, not only for commercial reasons but alsobecause they may assist organisations to meet existing and incomingHealth and Safety Regulations. Such regulations have been in force inthe UK since 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work (MHSW)Regulations 1999 updated the position regarding the Lone Worker. Manyother countries and the European Community have stringent policiesconcerning the safety of the Lone Worker.

By way of example only, the lock of the present Invention may bedeployed at a remote mobile telephone repeater station and be providedwith a Bluetooth™ enabled device operating in the 2.4 GHz band overabout 10 metres or so at an extremely low power level and which wouldwake up only when the lock was activated. This device could communicatewith another Bluetooth™ device located in the station compound which inturn could interface with, say VHF technology, to send and receive dataover moderate to large distances. By these or other wirelesstechnologies the whereabouts of employees at precise times could beestablished and check-in protocols would ensure that their safety statuswas updated regularly. In addition, many other functions could becontrolled via the medium of the instant lock, including controllingvariations to levels of clearance for access to sites. For instance, oneworker may be entitled to access certain sites of a company orgovernment department but not others. If a colleague failed to reportfor work due to illness and a replacement for his or her duties wasneeded urgently at a remote point, the lock at that site could beremotely programmed via a communications link such as the exampleimmediately hereinbefore described with an updated and temporaryelevation of security clearance for the replacement operative notnormally able to gain access to the site. Numerous other communicationsprotocols might be used instead including GPRS and WAP devices.

Advantageously, a dummy electronics module may be mechanicallyconfigured such that, when inserted into the second portion of thesecure housing of the lock, it interacts physically with the mechanicalcomponents to allow release of the lock mechanically, thus permittingthe lock to be placed in a permanent manual override position until thedummy module is replaced with a functioning electronics module.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda non-contact key for use with the lock which may be in the form of a“smart card” or a token or a key fob attachment in the form of a tag, inevery case the key being provided with electronic circuitry means whichidentify its bearer to the lock with the intent of providing access onlyto those with appropriate permissions.

Two preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying figures, in which correspondingnumeral series are used throughout to indicate like parts and of which:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are perspective exterior views of the front and rearaspects, respectively, of a lock in accordance with two preferredembodiments of the present invention and including a view of a “smartcard” key;

FIGS. 1 c and 1 d are perspective details of the front and rear aspects,respectively, of handles of the second of the two preferred embodimentsmounted on a cut away portion of a security plate and secure housing asillustrated in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b and included to show means forproviding a spring-back feature when handles are released;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the first preferred embodiment of thelock of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b in a locked condition with a security coverand the front secure lock housing removed and the casing of anelectronics module partially cut away to reveal internal components;

FIG. 3 shows a similar view to FIG. 2 but with the lock of the firstpreferred embodiment latched open;

FIG. 4 shows a similar view to FIG. 3 with the lock of the firstpreferred embodiment latched open, in this view the lock is inmechanical override mode;

FIG. 5 shows a front elevation of the lock of the first preferredembodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b in a locked condition with a securitycover and the front lock housing removed and the casing of anelectronics module partially lifted out;

FIG. 6 shows a section along the line ‘4-4’ of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of an electronics moduleillustrating important components common to both preferred embodimentsof the lock of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the second preferred embodiment of thelock of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b in a locked condition, ready to open, with asecurity cover and the front lock housing removed and the casing of anelectronics module partially cut away to reveal internal components;

FIG. 9 shows a similar view to FIG. 8 but with the lock of the secondpreferred embodiment latched open and a bolt fully withdrawn;

FIG. 10 shows a similar view to FIG. 9 with the lock of the secondpreferred embodiment locked, in this view the lock is in a “wake up”condition;

FIG. 11 shows a similar view to FIG. 9 with the lock of the secondpreferred embodiment latched open, in this view the lock is inmechanical override mode;

FIG. 12 shows a front elevation of the lock of the second preferredembodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b in a locked condition with a securitycover and the front lock housing removed and an electronics modulepartially lifted out;

Referring first to FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 2 through 7 there is shown a firstpreferred embodiment of a lock, according to the present invention,numbered generally as 1 and which is primarily intended to be used inapplications and situations where the risk of vandalism or otherdeliberate damage is high and where battery longevity, though excellent,is slightly less than in the second embodiment hereinafter described.

In FIGS. 1 a and 1 b a lock, shown generally as 1 comprises a housing 2a first aperture 3 for receiving an integral bolt 19 handles 4 a and 4 bfor actuating lock 1 and a second aperture 5 for receiving anelectronics module 6. Electronics module 6 has an antenna within casing31 the position of which is indicated at 7. Antenna 7 is forcommunicating with a non-contact electronic key preferably in the formof ‘smart card’ 8 having microcircuitry indicated at 8 a embeddedtherein for communicating with electronics module 6 by bringing it intoclose proximity thereto.

Lock 1 is preferably constructed of stainless steel and optionallycomprises an additional stainless steel plate which functions as asecurity cover 9 secured in place by a plurality of security screws 10.Screws 10 may be any suitable commercial off-the-shelf screws having ahead that requires a special tool to release them. Security cover plate9 obscures the position of a mechanical cylinder lock 11 the function ofwhich is described hereinafter and therefore security cover plate 9hides a potential ‘soft spot’ of lock 1. For additional security, steelcover plate 9 may be secured from within housing 2 using screws 10 onlyon the inward facing or locked area facing of lock 1. For the absence ofdoubt it is to be understood that the intention is to place screwsfacing into a locked area which the lock is securing and to present aplain cover to the outside.

Referring to the elevation of FIG. 2 this shows lock 1 with securitycover plate 9 and the front of housing 2 removed and casing 31 ofelectronics module 6 partially cut-away along double-dash-triple-dotline ‘X’. Housing 2 comprises a first portion 2 a having mechanicalcomponents housed therein and a second portion 2 b in which electronicsmodule 6 is located.

Electronics module 6 may be seen in more detail by brief reference toFIGS. 5 and 7. Electronics module 6 houses a substantial battery pack 12which may be of any convenient type having the properties of longevityand robust reliability, a motorised actuator 13 and modular circuitrywhich may conveniently be a PIC or ASIC package 14 having antenna,transceiving, optional separate communications circuitry, encoding,decoding and control elements. Electronics module 6 is retained withinhousing 2 against resilient block 15 by latch 16 engaging recess 32.

The mechanical components of lock 1 in first portion 2 a of housing 2comprise a bolt-retaining pin 17 biased by spring 18 to the engagedposition within deadlock recess 19 a shown in FIG. 2 whereby it retainsbolt 19 In the extended, locked position of lock 1. Bolt 19 locates andtravels in not only housing 2 but also in housing extension 20. Housingextension 20 has a slot 47 and bolt 19 has an operating pin 48 extendingcompletely through bolt 19 and extending out through slot 47. Underappropriate conditions this enables an operative to manually throw bolt19 from a retracted position, within lock 1 to an extended position, bymoving operating pin 48 along the full extent of slot 47 of housingextension 20. Extended bolt 19 may engage a recess in the same manner asa mortise lock, and vice versa. However, although in this embodimentthis arrangement is preferred, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that bolt 19 may be arranged in many different ways. Forinstance, housing extension 20 could be omitted and slot 47 could beaccommodated directly in secure housing 2 though with some loss ofvandal-proofing.

The other principal components are comprised in a linkage mechanismillustrated generally as 21 and described hereinafter with reference toFIGS. 2 to 7. In addition, there are two latching slides 22 and 23 eachbeing provided with clearance openings 22 a and 23 a respectively. Thefunction of clearance openings 22 a and 23 a is to allow retaining pin17 to pass through into deadlock recess 19 a of bolt 19 when alignedtherewith such as occurs when lock 1 is desired, and duly authorised, tobe locked dosed or unlocked. At other times, latching slides 22 and 23present solid metal under retaining pin 17 which thus cannot then passthrough into deadlock recess 19 a.

Referring to FIG. 6 which is a sectional view along line ‘4-4’ of FIG.2, this shows some important aspects of the linkage mechanism 21especially the manner in which it is supported by shaft 24 extendingbetween handles 4 a and 4 b located on either side of housing 2. As maybe best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 linkage mechanism 21 comprises apaddle wheel 25 and dog clutch 26 engageable by pawl 27. Paddle wheel 25and dog clutch 26 are physically connected to handles 4 a and 4 b.Linkage mechanism 21 additionally comprises a bushed driven plate 28 towhich pawl 27 is attached. Bushed driven plate 28 has an engagementsurface 29 for contacting pin 30 extending from retaining pin 17 as maybe seen, for instance, by brief reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring now to FIG. 7 motorised actuator 13 is located in electronicmodule 6 which also has a recess 32 in casing 31 by means of which it isretained in position via latch 16. Motorised actuator 13 has a shaft 34providing mounting means for gear 33 which acts on opposing racks 39 and40 in the direction of arrows ‘A’ and ‘B’. As may be seen by referenceto FIG. 7 rack 39 has a captive guide 39 a provided with a buffer spring39 b. These elements cooperate to interact with slide 22 whilst rack 40has a driving face 37 which Interacts with spring 35 which is pivoted onpin 36 to selectively drive pawl 27 against captive pawl spring 27 a.Captive pawl spring 27 a maintains a biasing force against pawl 27tending to disengage It from dog clutch 26 and this condition prevailsuntil passing contact with spring 35 overcomes the effect of spring 27a.

Electronic module 6 additionally comprises two sensors 41 and 42. Firstsensor 41 is a reed switch and detects the presence of magnet 43 locatedon bolt 19 when it is thrown fully home locking lock 1. Sensor 42 is asensor that detects movement of paddle wheel 25 by detecting themovement of magnets 25 a to 25 d retained in paddle wheel 25 as theypass window 38 in housing 2.

Describing now the operation of the first preferred embodiment of theinstant lock, lock 1 is installed on a gate or door or the like, that itis desired be secured. Lock 1 is installed in a position such that bolt19 can be received slidably into a suitable locking aperture. Authorisedpersonnel on approaching lock 1 rotate handle 4 a, and simultaneouslypresent a key in the form of an electronic smart card or tag 8 to lock 1so that it is in close proximity to antenna 7 of electronic module 6.

As may be seen variously from FIGS. 2 through 6 rotation of handle 4 a,will cause paddle wheel 25, to rotate and magnets 25 a to 25 a to passby sensor 42 which detects the movement and sends signals to circuitrypackage 14 within electronics module 6 to “wake up” sits integraltransceiver. At this stage, handles 4 a and 4 b are is free to rotate,there being no connection between bushed driven plate 28 and handles 4 aand 4 b.

In response to transceiver element of 14 receiving an authorisationsignal from key 8 via antenna 7 control circuit element of electronicpackage 14 controls motorised actuator 13 to drive rack 40 of FIG. 7. Asmay be seen with reference to FIG. 2 driving face 37 of rack 40 makesdriving contact with spring 35 which is driven into contact with pawl 27overcoming the disengagement bias of captive pawl spring 27 a andcausing engagement of pawl 27 with dog clutch 26. When pawl 27 engagesdog clutch 26 further rotation of handle 4 causes retaining pin 17 to bewithdrawn from bolt 19 until i is in the raised position shown in FIG.3.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3 when retaining pin 17 is withdrawn,lock 1 is in a condition for bolt 19 to be thrown into extension.Retaining pin 17 has been raised through clearance openings 22 a and 23a and is latched into the raised position by slides 22 and 23 which areurged into the positions shown by the action of spring 44.

When lock 1 is in the open position (FIG. 3), and it Is desired tore-lock lock 1 an authorised operative “wakes up” the transceivercircuitry of electronics package 14 of electronic module 6 by themechanical operation of 4 a and 4 b which action presents magnets 25 ato 25 a to sensor 42. If transceiver circuitry of 14 detects thepresence of an authorised key 8 it then sends a signal causing motorisedactuator 13 to move racks 39 and 40 in the direction of arrow ‘A’ ofFIG. 2. When bolt 19 is extended from aperture 3 the movement displacesslide 23 and subsequently slide 22 permitting retaining pin 17 to dropthrough clearance openings 22 a and 23 a which are aligned thereunderand engage bolt deadbolt recess of bolt 19. It is to be noted that if anauthorisation signal has not been received, then rack 39 will still beIn the position indicated by arrow ‘B’ in FIG. 3. Slide 22 will thus beprevented from moving in a direction to the left of FIGS. 2 or 3 andthus clearance openings 22 a and 23 a will not be aligned with retainingpin 17 which therefore will not drop and engage bolt 19.

Circuitry within package 14 of electronic module 6 logs both the openingand closing of lock 1 identifying both the time and the identity of thecard key 8 that caused lock 1 to be opened or closed. In addition,circuitry within electronics package 14 of electronic module 6 couldalso log mechanical functions.

If electronic module 6 should fail, or it Is desired to replaceelectronic module 6 security cover plate 9 is removed and a mechanicalkey (not illustrated) is inserted Into mechanical lock 11. Rotation of amechanical key in a first direction causes locking bar 45 to engagelatch 16 releasing it from recess 32 in electronic module 6. Rotation ofthe mechanical key anticlockwise, causes locking bar 45 to act againstpin 46 as may be best seen in FIG. 4, withdrawing retaining pin 17 frombolt 19 and thereby releasing bolt 19.

When it is desired or necessary for maintenance or management purposesto remove electronic module 6 a dummy replacement module (notillustrated) containing no electronics, may be placed in portion 2 b ofhousing 2 of lock 1. Such a dummy module would have an appropriatedriving face, structurally equivalent to 37 to engage with pawl 27 butnot slide 22. This allows lock 1 to operate manually without the need tooperate manual cylinder lock 11. A variant dummy module can also beprovided which does not have a driving face and which also is notprovided with means to engage slide 22. This module would place lock 1into a key-operated mode.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 a-1 d and 7 through 12 there is shown a secondpreferred embodiment of a lock according to the present invention,numbered generally as 100 and which is primarily intended to be used inapplications and situations where the risk of vandalism or otherdeliberate damage is relatively low but where isolation and climatichostility demand the greatest possible battery longevity. In the firstpreferred embodiment hereinbefore described, handles 4 a; 4 b on shaft24 revolve 360 ° and this important feature imparts maximal defenceagainst any attempt to destroy the lock by an act of vandalism since,until engaged in drive mode handles 4 a; 4 b and shaft 24 ‘freewheel’.However, in this second preferred embodiment the arrangement ofcomponents potentially consumes less battery power, thereby extendingthe life of the battery and this confers considerable advantages inremote locations and where vandalism is unlikely to be an issue. Theonly significant differences between the first and second preferredembodiments reside in the mechanical components housed in portion 102 aof housing 102 a in comparison to those In portion 2 a of housing 2electronics module 106 differing only slightly from electronics module6.

As may be seen with reference to FIGS. 1 c and 1 d in this embodiment,handles 104 a; 104 b, may be rotationally displaced, with shaft 124 to alimit, in this case, of 90 °. Springs 149 and 150 retained in arcuateslots 151 and 152 located in the rear surface of handles 104 a; 104 band disposed symmetrically with respect to the principal axis of shaft124 cooperate with posts 153 and 154 extending from the face of housing102. Springs 149 and 150 provide sufficient counter-torque to causehandles 104 a; 104 b and shaft 124 when released, to spring back to theoriginal starting or zero position.

With general reference to FIGS. 8 through 12 it may be seen that in thissecond preferred embodiment there Is provided mechanical lock 111.Mechanical lock 111 is comprised of five major mutually cooperatingcomponents directed to two principal purposes. A first component, latch116 engages with recess 132 directed to the purpose of removablysecuring electronics module 106 within portion 102 b of housing 2.

A second component, double crank 155 has a first slide 156 which engagesa drive pin 157 mounted high on retaining pin 117 and illustrated inhidden detail. Second slide 158 of double crank 155 engages a pivot pin159 which also provides pivotal mounting means for a third component,short magnet mounting plate 160 upon which is mounted magnet 161.

A fourth component is magnet swing plate 162 which provides mountingmeans for another magnet 163 and an extension of it 162 a mayadditionally engage a driven pin 164 on a pawl mount 165. The fifthcomponent is locking plate 145 which though more complex in action isanalogous to locking bar 45 of the first embodiment.

With particular reference now to FIG. 8 there is shown a lock 100 inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, generallysimilar to the first embodiment in many respects, however pawl 127 isborne on pawl mount 165 and is biased in this embodiment by a captivesaddle spring 127 a. Pawl 127 and dog clutch 126 are effectivelyreversed in comparison with the first preferred embodiment and thesefeatures may be readily compared to their respective counterparts 27 and26 of the first embodiment by brief reference to, say, FIG. 3. In FIG. 8it may be seen that bolt 119 is in a locked condition with retaining pin117 engaged through clearance openings 122 a and 123 a into deadlockrecess 119 a and with sensor 141 for sensing bolt status positionedclose to magnet 143. Sensor 141 is a reed switch which closes when inproximity to magnet 143. Racks 139 and 140 have been activated such aswould be the case just after a smart card 108 had been presented toready lock 100 for unlocking. If either of handles 104 a or 104 b isturned whilst this ‘active’ condition obtains, pawl 127 will be driveninto dog clutch 126 under the influence of spring 135. Spring 135 has asafety function in that its compressibility prevents damage to lock 100if handles 104 a or 104 b are operated abusively.

FIG. 10 shows a ‘wake up’ condition. In this embodiment, paddle wheel125 is connected to shaft 124 and thus connected also to handles 104 aand 104 b which are rotated anti-clockwise. This action will causemagnet 163 to close reed switch 142 initiating power supply to thecircuitry of electronics package 114 within electronic module 106producing a brief timed ‘on’ condition. Pawl 127 at this stage, does notdrive dog clutch 126 as rack 140 and spring 135 both remain in a neutralposition. In this condition, paddle wheel 125 together with handles 104a; 124 b on shaft 124 will, upon release, spring back to neutralposition under the action of springs 149 and 150. In FIG. 10 retainingpin 117 is engaged through clearance openings 122 a and 123 a withdeadlock recess 119 a of bolt 119 and this condition also obtains inFIG. 8. It will be noted that when bolt 119 is brought into thiscondition, drive pin 157 acts upon double crank 155 (causing shortmagnet mounting plate 160 to swing around pivot 159 so as to bringmagnet 161 close to reed switch sensor 166. Raising bolt 119 reversesthese actions and it will be appreciated that these components cooperateto provide means for sensing the status of retaining pin 117 to thecircuitry of electronics package 114 of electronics module 106. Thisprovision is not made in the first preferred embodiment.

If circuitry within electronics package 114 is then activated by smartcard 108.then as may be seen in FIG. 9 rack 140 is driven by motorisedactuator 113 against spring 135 which drives pawl 127 into engagementwith dog clutch 126 overcoming captive saddle spring 127 a. FIG. 9 showspaddle wheel 125 rotated anti-clockwise by shaft 124 driving dog clutch126 via pawl 127 thereby lifting and disengaging retaining pin 117 frombolt 119. In FIG. 9 bolt 119 is shown in the withdrawn position. Thestatus of bolt 119 is sensed by magnet 143 being displaced from reedswitch 141 which is in an open condition. The elevated status ofretaining pin 117 is sensed by the pivotal displacement of magnet 161away from proximity with reed switch sensor 166 which is achieved bydriving cooperation between drive pin 157 of retaining pin 117 whichdrives double crank 155 such that second slide 158 causes short magnetmounting plate 160 to pivot anti-clockwise about pivot 159.

FIG. 10 shows a ‘timed-out’ or idle condition with pawl 127 disengagedfrom dog clutch 126; lock 100 can be “woken up” from this position byrotation of handles 104 a; 104 b.

FIG. 11 shows a locked open condition. With retaining pin 117 raised,bolt 119 has been withdrawn. Racks 139 and 140 are wide open causingcaptive slide 139 a of rack 139 to remain in the path of slide 123. Thiscondition thereby prevents slides 122 and 123 from being urged out ofthe path of 117 with the result that slides 122 and 123 cannot presentopenings 122 a and 123 a, respectively, for retaining pin 117 to passthrough.

FIG. 12 is analogous to FIG. 5 of the first preferred embodiment in thatit shows electronics module 106 (6) in a partly removed condition withrespect to secure housing 102 (2).

Although two embodiments of the present Invention have been Illustratedwith reference to the accompanying figures, it will be evident to oneskilled in the art that many modifications or alternative arrangementsof the lock will be apparent to one skilled in the art, which alterativearrangements will be within the scope of the following claims.

1. A lock comprising: a secure housing having discrete first and secondportions disposed apart either side of an element incorporating engagingrecess means and wherein, said first portion comprises receival meansfor mechanical components said mechanical components providing aplurality of selectable means for independent control and operation ofsaid lock; and said second portion comprises selectively latchablereceival means for an electronics module latchably engageable with saidengaging recess means of said element of said housing and selectivelyremovable therefrom and providing means when present and functional forcontrol and operation of said lock, and rotatable handle means externalof said first portion of said secure housing selectively operatively andconnectably engaged with said mechanical components of said portion ofsaid lock said mechanical components in said first portion of thehousing comprising: a bolt, and; a retaining pin for releasablyretaining said bolt in position in said lock and a linkage mechanism foroperatively connecting said rotatable handle means to said retaining pinto cause rotating movement of said rotatable handle means to displacesaid retaining pin, a mechanical key-operated lock; a key for saidmechanical key-operated lock; means for selectively releasing saidelectronics module, said selectively removable electronics modulecomprises: a power supply; wireless transceiver and antenna meanscapable of receiving an authorisation signal from non-contact electronickey means; and actuator means responsive to said authorisation signal,wherein when said electronics module is present and functional withinsaid second portion of said secure housing of said lock receipt of anauthorisation signal from said non-contact key means causes saidactuator means to interact with said linkage mechanism to permitrotatable movement of said rotatable handle means to displace saidretaining pin, and; wherein when said electronics module is latchablyengaged within said second portion of said secure housing of said lockturning of said key for said mechanical key-operated lock for releasingsaid electronics module, releases said electronics module permittingsaid lock to be operated manually by rotatable handle means to displacesaid retaining pin.
 2. A lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidmechanical key-operated lock and key can also release said locking pinfrom said bolt to perform a manual override operation in the event offailure of said electronics module.
 3. A lock as claimed in claims 1 or2, wherein the turning of said key in said mechanical key-operated lockin a first direction releases said retaining pin from said bolt andwherein the turning of said key in a second direction releases saidelectronic module from said second portion of said housing.
 4. A lock asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanical key-operated lock isarranged to receive a first key type which can only turn said mechanicalkey-operated lock in a first direction and a second key type which thatcan only turn said mechanical key-operated lock in a second oppositedirection.
 5. A lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanicalkey-operated lock is arranged to receive a key type which can turn saidmechanical key-operated lock in both directions.
 6. A lock as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said linkage mechanism only provides a mechanicallinkage between said handle means and said retaining pin when anauthorisation signal has been received.
 7. A lock as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a security cover plate fixed over and preventingaccess to a keyhole for a key for operating said mechanical key-operatedlock.
 8. A lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronics moduleis normally inactivated in a sleep mode and is activated by mechanicaloperation of said rotatable handle means such that said antenna andtransceiver means are enabled to detect the presence of said non-contactelectronic key means.
 9. A lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidelectronics module and said mechanical components are arranged such thatan authorisation signal has to be received to permit said bolt to belocked into position by said retaining pin.
 10. A lock as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said electronics module comprises sensor means fordetecting the presence of said bolt.
 11. A lock as claimed in claim 1,wherein said electronics module is in the form of a selectivelyreleasable cartridge.
 12. A lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidelectronics module incorporates a programmable integrated circuit (PIC).13. A lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronics moduleincorporates a programmable application specific integrated circuit(ASIC).
 14. A lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circuitry of saidelectronics module incorporates means for storing and the identity, dateand time of use of each and every non-contact key means used to generatean authorisation signal to operate said lock thereby maintaining anaudit trail.
 15. A lock as claimed in claim 12, wherein said cartridgeis a non-functioning dummy mechanically configured such that whenlatchably engaged in said second portion of said secure housing of saidlock said cartridge physically interacts with said mechanical componentsof said linkage mechanism of said first portion said lock to permitrotatable movement of said rotatable handle means to displace saidretaining pin to manually release said lock.
 16. A lock as claimed inclaim 12, wherein said cartridge is a non-functioning dummy mechanicallyconfigured such that when latchably engaged in said second portion ofsaid secure housing of said lock said cartridge does not interact withany of said mechanical components of said first portion of said lockthereby necessitating use of said mechanical key-operated lock and keytherefor to release said lock permit rotatable movement of saidrotatable handle means to displace said retaining pin to manuallyrelease said lock.
 17. A lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidmechanical key-operated lock is a cylinder lock.
 18. A locksubstantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and/or asillustrated in one or more of the accompanying figures.
 19. Anelectronics module for use with lock, as claimed in claim
 1. 20. A lockas claimed in claim 1, comprising wireless communications means forcommunicating with remote transceiver means.